Johan Bergqvist will be entering the studio later this week to lay down the tracks for his contribution to the upcoming Shawn Smith tribute album. Johan will be playing minimal versions of the songs "Buttercup" (Brad) and "Suffering" (Satchel) using only grand piano, wurlitzer and maybe some acoustic guitar. More info here: www.shawnsmithtribute.com
In other news, Johan says that he plans to re-release his "Boy Extracting Thorn" MCD soon. No date has been set yet, but I'll let you know.
"Howl Howl Gaff Gaff", the debut album from the Shout Out Louds comes out this week on October 1 and you can now check out samples from every song over at the band's website.
Emma of Rockfoto.nu has posted some new pics of Music 77 on her site from the band's recent show in Göteborg.
Paste has posted the video for the new single "Hard to be in love" up on their website. Check it out. As mentioned before, the band is making their live debut at the Cavern in Liverpool on October 15.
Meshuggah checks in to report that they've starting writing for the new record, but have been forced to keep a low profile this past summer due to drummer Tomas's wrist problems. If you remember, they had to cancel a few festival gigs because of it. In other news, Tomas and guitarist Fredrik are up in Umeå working on recording "Drumkit From Hell II", a drum sample CD. It's due out early next year and you can read more about it here.
Learning From Las Vegas will be previewing their new album "Richard & Liz" at a couple small cafe venues around Denmark next month. You'll be able to hear the record, hang out and meet the band and maybe even hear a couple acoustic songs. Full info (in Danish) and dates are here.
Lasse from The Cardigans is becoming a father soon so he has opted out of upcoming tour plans this fall. He will be replaced on keyboards by Robban Cronsioe who they say is "a terrific guy with the right feeling for the keys". (via Cardigans Country)
Nasum has announced that Jon "Elle" Lindkvist has joined the band as their new bassplayer, replacing Jesper who left to concentrate on his other band Burst. Not only does Jon have the same initials as Jesper, but he also auditioned in the same Neurosis t-shirt. Creepy, eh? Jon also currently plays with Sayyadina as well as having done time with numerous well-known Swedish punk bands such as Victims, Accursed, and Outlast. Former live-only guitarist Urban Skytt has also joined on as a full-time member.
The new Peter, Björn and John split 7" with the UK's Spearmint has been confirmed for an October 20 release and will feature the track "(I just wanna) see through" and a cover of "When you find out" by the Nerves on the flipside. A video for the former is under production. Both bands will play a record release show at Fritz's Corner in Stockholm on October 25.
Here's this week's top 10 Nordic video chart from YLE/Morjen:
01. HIM - The Sacrament (FIN)
02. Xantom - Miss you (DK)
03. Beats and Styles - Dynamite (FIN)
04. Outlandish - Aicha (DK)
05. Lowe Motor Corporation - Soul of a pagan (FIN)
06. Lodger - Doorsteps (FIN)
07. Killer - Naughty boy (FIN)
08. Jonna Tervomaa - Rakkauden haudalla (FIN)
09. Lene - It's your duty (DK)
10. MEW - 156 (DK)
Challengers:
01. Redrama - Hang it up (FIN)
02. Iráfár - Eg sjalf (ICE)
03. Technicolour - Fireflies (FIN)
"The Nordictone in jazz - does it really matter?" - a very interesting essay from Stuart Nicholson and STIM/The Swedish Music Information Center. The article focuses mainly on the jazz scene, but it does address that whole elusive concept of what the "Nordic tone" really is. And that's what this site is all about, isn't it? It's certainly one of the root concepts on which it was founded. So does it answer the question? Well, yes and no - but it certainly does take a good crack at it, I think.
Here's the top 20 Swedish albums of the week, as reported by Aftonbladet:
01. Per Gessle - Mazarin
02. Lasse Stefanz - Det här är bara början
03. Carola - Guld platina & passion - det bästa
04. Fred Åkerström - Freds bästa
05. Pauline - Candy rain
06. Robyn - Don't stop the music
07. Bad Cash Quartet - Midnight prayer
08. Anna-Lotta Larson - Tidlöst
09. The Cardigans - Long gone before daylight
10. Lars Winnerbäck & Hovet - Söndermarken
11. Pugh Rogefeldt - Pughs bästa
12. Kent - Vapen & ammunition
13. Lisa Nilsson - Samlade sånger 1992-2003
14. Da Buzz - More than alive
15. Robert Wells - Rhapsody in rock the complete collection
16. ABBA - ABBA Gold - greatest hits
17. David & the citizens - Until the sadness is gone
18. Ola Magnell - Vallmoland
19. Moneybrother - Blood Panic
20. Timbuktu - The botten is nådd!
The three Norweigan metal bands Aeternus, 1349, and Red Harvest are all teaming up for a European tour together. Dates so far:
11/06 - Markthalle, Hamburg (GER)
11/07 - Halford, Berlin (GER)
11/08 - Festung Club, Bitterfield (GER)
11/09 - E Club, Budapest (HUN)
11/10 - Hafen, Innsbrück (AUS)
11/11 - Bad Bonn, Düddingen (SWI)
11/12 – tba (FR)
11/13 - Scala, London (UK)
11/14 - Fenix, Exeter (UK)
11/15 - tba, Zottegem (BEL)
11/16 - Baroeg, Rotterdam (NL)
Here's a suprise: Pitchfork covers the best-of 2xCD compilation "Scattered Ashes: A Decade of Emperial Wrath" from legendary Norweigan black metal band Emperor. So not indie rock.
Recent Burning Heart signees C.Aarmé just released their new 4-song 7" "The Gag" on Big Brothel records. "Do you remember the first time you stumbled upon punk or hardcore that excited you more than sex? Stuff that made you realize there was a different (and better) universe out there? Yup, this is THAT GOOD."
The Tomas Lindberg vs. The Crown drama continues! Head on over to the The Crown's website for a new message from drummer Janne Saarenpää with some additional insight into the recent Close-Up magazine debacle (see yesterday). Scathing!